We can trace back the discovery of cord blood to 1978. However, the first transplant involving the use of umbilical cord blood did not happen until ten years after its discovery. From the first transplant, the field of medicine has witnessed tens of thousands of cord blood transplants around the world.
How Does Cord Blood Transplant Work?
Cord blood transplant, which may also be known as umbilical cord therapy, is a form of stem cell treatment. Through the stem cells that doctors have harvested in a newborn baby’s umbilical cord blood, they replace maligned cells with new healthy cells.
Patients who usually get stem cell therapy include those that undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy to treat cancer. However, because of studies, more people have now realized that stem cells are beneficial for other conditions too. An example of this is children with autism.
Stem cell transplants may depend on various considerations, such as the condition or disease, the patient’s health, the physician who will conduct the treatment, and the type of transplant he or she will perform.
The Difference Between Transplantation and Transfusion
Some people tend to confuse transplantation and transfusions. Let us now clarify this to avoid misconceptions and misinformation. Transfusion refers to the introduction of new cell lines into a patient’s body. Often, the goal of doing this procedure is to supplement losses. For example, the patient has experienced a loss of blood. Doctors will do a transfusion to provide the patient with new matching blood.
Meanwhile, transplantation refers to the replacement of old cell lines. The transplanted new cell lines will replace the old cells that do not work properly. The stem cell transplantation comes from the process that occurs. During the transplant, stem cell infusions replace the current blood supply of the patient as well as his or her immune system cells.
Stem Cell Treatment
The cord blood transplantation or umbilical cord therapy happens within a few days of conditioning. The process is not as invasive as one might think. It can be as simple as a blood transfusion. Once the cord blood stem cells reach the patient’s body, they will migrate to the center of the patient’s bone. There, they can start producing new and non-diseased immune system cells and blood.
Recovery of the Patient
The conditioning of the patient and the transplantation process may take much of your attention. However, the most crucial part may not be over yet. The doctor’s post-transplant work can be extensive.
A patient’s immune system can be wiped out. Thus, one may need time to recover one’s strength. Generally, it takes about three to four weeks for new and healthy cells to reach a number that is suitable to protect a patient’s body. Consult your physician and the clinic where your child has undergone the procedure to know what you should do to keep their body functioning properly.
Family Cord Blood Banking
Many countries allow parents to keep their newborn’s baby’s umbilical cord blood in either a public or a private cord blood bank. Some also allow the donation of the said blood.
Parents can choose family cord blood banking in Georgia. Parents can store and freeze their baby’s cord blood and access it in the future. Doing this can provide a source for stem cells that your baby might need someday. Some family bank cord blood banks also offer additional storage services. They can put other types of newborn stem cells, like cord tissue, in storage. Whether or not you are a resident of Georgia, these facilities are open for you.
There are also medical facilities in the country that have their cell therapy units. With this unit, a clinic can conduct a cord blood collection procedure. If you want to do this, you should coordinate with the clinic and your physician.
Advantages of Choosing a Medical Center
A medical center has the proper equipment. Aside from this, their physicians are well-trained and have proper certifications. Collecting a newborn’s umbilical cord blood requires the use of a special set of tools and a technique that is precise and accurate.
As an expecting parent, you should sign a contract with a cryobank in advance. This way, it will be easier to transport and store your baby’s stem cells. The separation of stem cells from the blood will happen inside the bank. After that, they will put the stem cells inside a container and freeze it using a special device.
With stored umbilical cord blood stem cells, you can have access to treatment if and when your child needs it. Let us say, for example, that your child ends up having autism. An umbilical cord therapy can help treat the symptoms of his or her condition. Thus, you will realize how beneficial this investment is.
